Aerial survey: Duck numbers down for December

Last week’s aerial waterfowl survey showed a population estimate that’s much lower than the 2009-2012 average.

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Stuttgart Daily Leader - Stuttgart, AR

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Posted Dec. 20, 2012 at 2:45 PM
Updated Dec 20, 2012 at 2:47 PM

Posted Dec. 20, 2012 at 2:45 PM
Updated Dec 20, 2012 at 2:47 PM

LITTLE ROCK

The bad news is that Arkansas duck numbers are down compared to the average for the last four years. But the good news is that numbers could be bolstered in the coming days by the passage of a winter weather system.

Last week’s aerial waterfowl survey showed a population estimate that’s much lower than the 2009-2012 average. Based on observations by Arkansas Game and Fish Commission biologists, the state’s Delta has an estimated duck population of less than 800,000 ducks, a number similar to what biologists counted during the November survey but a significant decline from the 2009-2012 average for the December survey period.

Large concentrations of ducks were observed at Bald Knob National Wildlife Refuge, Cache River NWR near Dixie, Lake Ashbaugh on Dave Donaldson Black River Wildlife Management Area, Big Lake NWR and Claypool’s Reservoir. Observers saw fewer large concentrations of ducks south of Interstate 40.

In southwest Arkansas, observers counted an estimated 17,000 ducks, including about 10,000 mallards, and in the Arkansas River Valley, observers estimated a population of about 24,000 ducks, including roughly 14,000 mallards.

A winter storm currently making its way across the nation’s midsection may be cause for cautious optimism as duck season’s second segment winds down this weekend. A strong cold front is forecast to dump several inches to more than a foot of snow across parts of Kansas, Nebraska, Iowa and Missouri. In Arkansas, temperatures are predicted to drop into the upper 20s at night with high temperatures in the lower 50s.

The second segment of the state’s duck season closes at sunset Sunday, Dec. 23. The season reopens for the final segment on Dec.26 and runs through Jan. 27.

While this waterfowl report seeks to provide information that is as timely as possible, hunters should keep in mind there’s often a lag of two or three days between the time field reports are received and this report is published. Thus, actual water levels and percentage of flooded habitat may differ from what’s reported here. The AGFC encourages hunters to check stream gauges and physically scout potential hunting areas to determine actual field conditions.

To assist waterfowl hunters with the latest information, the AGFC provides links to sources on waterfowl location and abundance in Arkansas and other states. Maps showing graphical results of this season’s first aerial waterfowl survey are included. The links are available at http://www.agfc.com/hunting/Pages/HuntingWaterfowlReport.aspx#1.

This waterfowl report provides capsule information from agency staff in all corners of Arkansas and is updated each Wednesday throughout waterfowl season.